Morley-Minto Reforms and the Indian Councils Act, 1909

Ø  Reforms recommended by the then Secretary of States for India ( Lord Morley) and the Viceroy (Lord Minto) were implemented by the Indian Councils Act, 1909.

Ø  The maximum number of additional members of the Indian Legislative Council (Governor – General’s Council) was raised from 16 (under the Act of 1892) to 60 (excluding the Executive Councilors.)

Ø  The size of provincial Legislative Councils was enlarged by including elected non-official members so that the official majority was gone.

Ø  An element of election was also introduced in the Legislative Council at the centre also but here the official majority there was maintained.

Ø  The legislative Councils were empowered to move resolutions on the Budget, and on any matter of public interest, except certain specified subjects, such as the armed forces, Foreign Affairs and the Indian States.

Ø  It provided, for the first time, for separate representation of the Muslim community and thus sowed the seeds of separatism.

The government of India Act, 1915

Ø  This act was passed to consolidate the provisions of the preceding Government of Indian Acts.